Kerala: Red alert in six districts, orange in three others

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The southwest monsoon in Kerala has so far claimed 44 lives including 20 deaths in the last 24 hours. Eighteen persons have gone missing in landslides and flash floods that occurred in northern districts with Kozhikode being hit the most. The state disaster management authority has issued ‘red alert’ in six districts, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod and Palakkad. Orange alert was issued in Idukki, Kottayam and Alappuzha. The weathermen have warned of heavy to very heavy rains in parts of Kerala till Friday, followed by isolated heavy rains till June 18 accompanied by strong winds.


Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) director K Santosh said heavy rains in the range of 7 to 11 cm and isolated very heavy rains in the range of 12 to 20 cm are likely in parts of Kerala till Friday. For the next three days till June 18, heavy rains are expected in parts of the state. It will be accompanied by strong westerlies with speeds of 35 to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph arelikely along and off Kerala coast”.

IMD officials and Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) have also forecast high waves along Kerala coast above three metre high. Fishers have been advised to stay ashore.

KSDMA has also asked sabarimala pilgrims to be cautious. Water-level in the Pampa River has soared and its waters can trigger landslides.